Topic: Having trouble removing my wheels....

[blaajohn]

Hello I am new to this game of lawn mower racing and I am in the process of trying to change the wheels.  The mower is a rear engine toro 8-32, it is a pretty old chain drive.  Im trying to change the rear wheels and I haven't been able to remove them.  There is a nut and bolt going through the hub and the axle, I thought all that was needed was to just remove the nut and bolt and the wheel slides off but that isn't the case.
If anyone can give me any help or input it would be greatly appreciated.....thank you!!!

[tractorman]

 :postpics:

[BriggsandStratton1218]

This isnt nessicarily useless with out pictures.  It seems that your wheels are just rusted on.  Soak them in Wd40 or pb blaster for a day or so, and try using a block of wood and a rubber mallet to tap them off.  You may need to grind down the tip of your axle a little bit if you tried hitting it and it mushroomed out.  As a last restort you can use a propane or acetylene torch to heat them up.

[THawley08]

PB Blaster is the best thing since sliced bread.

[blaajohn]

Thanks for the input guys. I have some PB Blaster around here and I will soak them down and then give it another try! I will let you know how the outcome is... thanks again.

[redline]

Depending on how the axles are retained ( snap rings, bolted etc.) into the ( I am assuming) differential, use a little care with the hammer, as you may dislodge or break these and the axle will then pull out. If so it is not a big deal to replace them. Just a word of caution, as this happened to me pulling a peerless 600 from an old dynamark that had been sitting in a barn for 10 years.

[BriggsandStratton1218]

His is a live rear axle with a simple differential like on most rear engine riders.  And the wheels are held on by threw bolts. 

[300xdeere]

I believe he was referring the the way the axle was held into the differential on the axle. In witch case if you beat on the rim with the hammer to much you can pull the axle out of the differential because 9 times out of 10 it is only held in by a snap ring.

[BriggsandStratton1218]

Those differentials are pretty sturdy, i had to beat the crap out of those rims to get them off and the gears didnt pop off.

[Shrek]

If you are still having trouble removing your wheels try a battery terminal puller and put it on the end of the axle and press it off.  

[BriggsandStratton1218]

Or if you dont care about the shaft, cut it off and take to a machine shop with a press and they can get them out for you.

[300xdeere]

Instead or wrecking it pull apart the differential take out the axle and put the whole thing in the vice and beat the axle out, it goes much better than trying to beat the rim off.

[mtd91]

Or heat it up and hit it with a hammer some more.That is what I always do

[Tom Fox]

Well.......if you are going to race this....just cut the wheels off, cut the axle out, and install a one piece kart axle and be done with it.

[EelRiverRacer]

Don't know if you got it off yet, but I had to weld nuts on to mine, then use a gear puller, but if you plan on re-using your rims, not a good idea. In another instance, I had the tranny sitting on concrete block with a 2x4 under the tires. Unbolt the top of the case, extract each axle, then us a rubber Get a dremel and polish the axles up once the tire's off. Unless you go with a new straight axle.

On a side note, chalk your tires. If they move once that case is off, and if you aren't paying attention, then it shifts all those gears all around. Learned the hard way on that one.